# please identify this piece of classical music (Bach?)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 23, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372 "2009-05-23T03:36:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372/1 "2009-05-23T03:36:05Z")

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Years ago I heard a piece of classical music. I was told that it was a Bach piece, but not it’s name. It was actually encoded to be played on the BBC microcomputer, which had fairly primitive sound reproduction capabilities. Even so, the tune has stuck in my mind. I have several CD’s of Bach’s music, but it’s not on any of them. I’ve been wanting to identify this piece for years.

I have discovered that the theme from The Italian Job, aka [The Self Preservation Society](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tE5hyUjcd4)begins with a five second quote from the piece. Can somebody please identify it for me.

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**Author:** ![Casserole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b77776/32.png) [@Casserole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casserole)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372/2 "2009-05-23T04:12:06Z")

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Not an expert on Bach’s work, but the theme (while short) sounds like the opening of a fugue.

I’ll check the _Well-Tempered Clavier_, it’s as good a place to start as any.

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**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372/3 "2009-05-23T04:15:50Z")

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Ah, Bach. That’s his [Two Part Invention #8 in F Major](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGRumu-Qo6k), I believe.

Edited to add: [Here’s a purchaseable MP3 from Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Two-Part-Invention-keyboard-major/dp/B000QPAQG2/ref=sr_f2_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1243052003&sr=102-2) if you want it for keepsies.

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372/4 "2009-05-23T04:32:05Z")

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Thank you, **choie** , that’s the piece. Much obliged to you.

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**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-identify-this-piece-of-classical-music-bach/497372/5 "2009-05-23T04:40:36Z")

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You’re welcome! It’s a fabulous piece. Bach is just so damn brilliant… his music speaks a whole different language; not to get all woo-woo or anything, but listening to him, I can almost feel the jangled pieces of my soul smoothing out and neatly falling into place.